Game



Dec. 24,- 1935. R B TERRY 2,025,484

GAME

Filed Nov. 15, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet l FWMZ/ B 7 I nventov ec., 24, 1935. R B TERRY 2,@25,44

GAME

Filed Nov. 15, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Dec. 24, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to the broad class of games and has more particular reference to an apparatus for out-of-door use such as may be conveniently referred to as a lawn game.

Briefly, the improved structure has to do with the adoption and use of a plurality of unique playing pieces which are hereinafter referred to as jumping toys. These particular toys embody self-contained projection means through the instrumentality of a stick. In addition the structure embodies an especially designed playing field characterized by features arranged in predetermined order to permit the playing pieces to be jumped in flight from a startingpoint to a fixed finishing point.

Considering the game from a commercial viewpoint it is referred to by the fanciful connotation Pigs in the Sty. It follows therefore that the structure when reduced to practice is characterized by a number of structural innovations.

One feature of the assembly is predicated upon the ingenious jumping toy which represents a pig, this comprising a pair of companion disk-like caps joined by an expansible and compressible spring which, after it is' compressed, automatically re-expands to bodily cast the toy into flight so that it can he jumped from place to place in desired directions according to the discretion of the player.

Further novelty resides in the association with said jumping toy of a wand-like stick which is held in the hand of the player and which is actuated according to the skill of the player to control the distance and direction of fiight of the jumping toy so that it may be progressively moved from the starting to the finishing point in the playing field.

Considering the alleged novelty from another angle it may be mentioned that a feature of importance is the so-called sty, this being in the form of a stake or post of appropriate elevation provided with a receptacle or basket into which the playing pieces or pigs have to he jumped in order to put each pig out of play.

Then too, and considering the invention from a broader aspect, it relates to an ingenious game of this type which resorts to the use of trial and error and accomplished experience to permit a simple especially designed stick to be employed in connection with the spring actuated jumping toy in a manner to progressively move the toy over a course of a predetermined shape, the idea being to count the strokes necessary to jump the toy from the starting to the finishing point.

activated My principal aim and object is to provide a simple and economical game of the aforesaid type which also embodies other structural features and refinements to be hereinafter described.

In the drawings: 5

Figure 1 is a view in section and elevation showing the particular construction of one of the jumping toys hereinafter referred to as a pig.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the object or toy depicted in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a detail View of the spring unit.

Figures 4 and 5 are face and edge elevational views respectively of the stick used by the players in jumping or driving the pigs from place to place.

Figures 6 and 7 are face and edge elevational views of the post or stake and the pig depositing or collecting basket adapted for use at the terminal or end of the playing course.

Figure 8' is an enlarged detail sectional view of the post and basket hereinafter referred to as the sty.

Figure 9 is a top plan view of Figure 8.

Figure 10' is a plan view of the equilateral triangular course which marks off or defines the playing field.

Figure 11 is a detail perspective view showing the tape and anchoring staple used inthe construction of the triangular course.

In order to obtain a general understanding of the game assembly or apparatus I invite atten- 5 tion first to Figure 10. Here the playing course is illustrated and distinguished by the numeral [2. As before stated this is in the form of an equilateral triangle, one side of which is denoted by the numeral [3 and differentiated as the outgoing lane. Cooperating with this is the incoming or home lane l4 and between the two is the connecting or adjoining lane l5. Actually these features are formed from a flat tape I6 as shown 1 in Figure 11. This tape may be of appropriate material and dimension and it is anchored in the ground by suitable staples I1. This makes it possible to set up the course: for play expeditiously or to dismantle it when the game is concluded. At the right hand corner of the triangular course or playing field is a substantially square part I8 which is to be denoted as the starting field. This is also made up of pieces of tape I6 anchored by a clip. One stretch of the tape as at I9 is in a line with or matches the incoming lane 14. The entire starting field is however disposed outwardly of the limit of the triangular area defined by the tapes. At the end of the lane I3 is a rectangular feature 20 which is conveniently distinguished as a gateway. This is smaller than the starting field I8 and of general oblong form and one stretch thereof 2| is in alinement with the intermediate lane l5. This gateway is also disposed outwardly of the adjacent corner of the triangle. Incidentally the term triangle is used to define broad- 1y a frame or any other device of triangular formation which serves to mark off the course and to facilitate progressive movement of the playing pieces 22 in a predetermined manner. At the apex of the triangle is a circular member I3 also formed of tape and this is conveniently distinguished as a mud-hole. from the starting field [8 to thegateway and then along the lane I 5 to the mud-hole and from the mud-hole along the return or home lane M to the sty 24.

As the sty is an important accessory in the game apparatus as a whole I will describe it explicitly. Attention is therefore invited to Figures 6, '7, 8 and 9. This assemblage comprises a post or stake of appropriate height having a pointed end 26 so that it may be driven into the ground or turf. At the top is a fabric basket 21 which serves to receive the playing pieces or pigs 22 as they are jumped and deposited therein at the end of the play. This basket is of tapered form and in top plan view is substantially semi-conical. It therefore includes a semi-circular hanger ring 28 attached to the post as indicated at 29. In setting up the game for play the sty is so arranged that the post is located at the points where the lanes l 3 and I4 converge and join with the stretch H) of the starting field l8. As a matter of fact the straight portion of the semi-circular frame intersects or is disposed at right angles to the features I4 and I9 and the arcuate portion thereof overlies the lanes l3 and !4 so that it is properly positioned to receive the pig as he is driven down the lane 14 to the sty.

I call attention now to the playing piece 22. This is referred to as a jumping toy and although it does not resemble a pig it is also referred to in a fanciful sense as a pig. It comprises a pair of duplicate companion concavo-cbnvex caps 30 and 3| of disk-like configuration. Each cap has a marginal channel shaped flange 32 which functions as a retainer or pocket for the adjacent convolution 33 of the coiled spring. The intermediate or central coil 34 of the spring constitutes the motive force necessary to jump the toy when it is properly placed under stress. Either one of the caps can be in contact with the ground.

The playing stick is denoted by the numeral 35 and is some thirty inches or so in length and of light weight wood and has its ends 36 rounded as well as its longitudinal edge portions 31. Thus Thus the players move or gate 2|.

the stick is usable from either end or under certain conditions the edges 31 can be employed.

The idea of the game is to use the stick by forcing a predetermined portion thereof downwardly against the uppermost cap thus forcing the two caps'together against the tension of the coiled spring. This puts the spring under strain and when the pressure is released the spring comes into play to bodily lift and cast the toy into flight. That is to say it is possible by this method to jump the pigs from place to place. Although it is not absolutely essential it is generally the plan to place one end of the stick down upon the crown portion of the uppermost disk and to force it down until the two disks come together. Then the stick can be moved in a radial direction gradually so that by proper cam action it can be gradually released from the device 22 as a unit allowing it to be flipped into the air in an obvious manner.

I shall not attempt to go into the specific explanation of the rules and regulations for play. Generally however it is to be explained that in practice there are some twelve of these playing pieces or jumping toys 22. They are preferably three of each kind and differently colored so that opposing teams can participate systematically. The pigs are placed one at a time in the starting field I8 and jumped along the lane l3 into the pen After they have been lodged in the gate they are then jumped along the lane l5 into the mud-hole 13. It is necessary to stop the pig in these areas 20 and 13. Then the player moves onward by way of the return lane 14 and finally jumps the pig into the sty. The number of strokes required to accomplish this jumping of the group of three pigs determines the Winner of the game.

It is thought that persons skilled in the art to which the invention relates will be able to obtain a clear understanding of the invention after considering the description in connection with the drawings. Therefore, a more lengthy description is regarded as unnecessary.

Minor changes in shape, size, and rearrangement of details coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice, if desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I.

claim as new is:

1. A toy comprising a pair of opposed disk like concavo-convex caps, and a coil spring interposed between and joining said caps together in assembled relationship.

2. A toy comprising a pair of opposed caps, and

a coil spring interposed between and joining said caps together in assembled relationship.

RUSSELL B. TERRY. 

